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Experiments: Human as conductor |
ATTENTION, this experiment must not be copied, wrong execution is lethal!
Around a running tesla coil is a strong electromagnetic field. If a person comes in the nearness of the coil, a capacitor is formed by the body of the person on one end and the surface of the coil (and the top load) on the other.
This capacitor makes an energy flow possible (alternating current) by the body of the person.
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If someone (nearby a tesla coil) is holding a conventional light bulb (e.g. 220V/25W) in the hand, the light bulb can be able to shine. The person is touching only one electrode of the light bulb.
The second electrode is connected with a wire. If the lenght of the wire is sufficent, the wire forms a capacitor with earth. For alternating current
the electric circuit (ground => tesla coil => human => light bulb => wire => ground) is closed. |
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If the second end of the wire is connected to the first electrode of an other light bulb and the second electrode of the light bulb is touched by a other person, also this light bulb is shining. The body of the second person acts now as a plate of the capacitor with earth. |
This experiment was originally demonstrated by Nikola Tesla. It shows that high frequency alternating current is not necessarily lethal.
Nevertheless, wrong execution can cause burns and lethal electric shock. Don't try this at home!!